Attending quality Pre-prep classes is excellent for helping young children prepare for a lifetime of learning, says a Queensland University of Technology early childhood lecturer.
Jennifer Eaton said while parents may wonder whether to send their children to non-compulsory Prep and Pre-prep classes, the Queensland Government's recent guarantee that every four-year-old in the state would get access to quality early childhood education meant Pre-prep was an excellent choice.
Ms Eaton said quality Pre-prep education for children aged three and a half to four and a half and Prep for four and a half- to six-year-olds provided a tremendous start to a child's schooling experience.
She said a quality Pre-prep program provided children with play-based learning experiences that stimulate their thinking and engage them in hands-on learning, rather than structured teacher-directed lessons.
"Play-based learning is still very important for this age group," she said.
"It is about giving children many varied opportunities to learn through play and encouraging children to experiment, explore and 'take risks' by trying new things and develop a curiosity about the world they live in.
"Learning to build relationships with peers and adults is also a very important part of early childhood education and helps children develop their communication skills, resilience and sense of identity.
"The skill of being able to make friends is not to be underestimated. It can make all the difference to a successful and happy start to any new 'schooling' experience."
Ms Eaton said attending Pre-prep and Prep built children's confidence, self expression and independence which assisted with making the transition to the more formal rules and routines of school.
Parents who choose not to enrol their children in Pre-prep could also help prepare their children for Prep or Year 1.
"Parents can help children to develop their social skills by ensuring they have regular access to play with their peers," she said.
"It is also valuable for parents to provide young children with materials to draw, make, construct, problem solve, investigate, build and create. Open-ended resources are often the best, for example, boxes, blocks, Lego, pencils, paper and craft materials.
"Making time to share some of these experiences together will mean a lot to a child."
Tips for parents of Pre-prep and Prep children
Ms Eaton said parents had an important role to play in supporting and enhancing their child's early learning experiences in either Pre-prep or Prep settings.
* "It is important for parents to continue to build self-confidence in their children and encourage them to try new things, to express their ideas and feelings and to ask questions," she said.
* "Continue to read with children at home, as it helps build their language skills, their early literacy skills and encourages questioning of the world around them.
* "Encourage children's' friendships outside of class, especially if they are having trouble settling in. You can help children build and strengthen friendships with short play dates at weekends.
* "Don't focus on expecting a 'product' at the end of the day. A painting or a box construction is not the measure of a worthwhile day - instead, recognise the value of your child spending time with others, of make-believe play and other shared activities with friends.
* "Listen actively when your child tells you about their day, not just with half an ear. This shows them that you are really interested in what they have to say and will encourage further discussions. Children often find it difficult to answer the question 'what did you do today?' so ask more specific questions like 'what story did your teacher read to you today?' or 'who did you sit with at lunch?'
* "Communicate with your child's teachers. Brief chats let teachers know if your child has had a difficult night, an exciting weekend or a family upset. The child might need extra support from staff or have an exciting story to share with the class, which also gives shy children an opportunity to speak in larger groups.
* "And lastly, building a relationship between parents and teachers helps lessen the gap between home and the classroom. Open communication, trust and respect are the keys to a positive partnership."
Media contact: Rachael Wilson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1150 or rachael.wilson@qut.edu.au.